Van Nistelrooy Steals Benfica Victory

By David Hobbs
September 27 2005

A late Ruud van Nistelrooy goal lifted a massive burden the Red Devils have been carrying on their back lately and ensured a 2-1 Champions League victory over Benfica.

Manchester United 2
Ryan Giggs 38
Ruud van Nistelrooy 84

Benfica 1
Simao 58

Benfica proved no push-over for United, who've been criticised by fans lately, but the hosts' persistence prevailed as Ruud van Nistelrooy was on hand to tap in a late corner. 

United took the lead through a Ryan Giggs free-kick while Benfica equalised in the second-half in similar fashion, through Simao.

Young defender Phil Bardsley, who's been pushing for a first-team place since pre-season, got his big break at right-back in the absence of Gary Neville while John O'Shea moved to centre-half with Rio Ferdinand.

Ryan Giggs started for just the second time this season in midfield after finally shaking off a string of injuries. Meanwhile, English youngsters Sylvain Ebanks-Blake and Lee Martin were included on the Red Devils bench.

Fans have been doubting Sir Alex Ferguson's tactics and mentality recently, which seems to be down to assistant Carlos Queiroz, who slammed the Old Trafford faithful today.

United dominated possession throughout the first-half, but yet again, the final effort always let them down. 

Ruud van Nistelrooy had a piece of unfortunate luck midway through the first-half when he tripped over his ankle while aggressively approaching Benfica's goalkeeper Moreira. The Dutchman had been intelligently put through by Cristiano Ronaldo.

The fans got what the wanted shortly after when Ryan Giggs broke the deadlock. The vastly experienced Welshman converted a free-kick with his right foot after Sergio Ricardo Rocha's foul on Ronaldo.

However, after the break and just before the hour mark the visitors hit back with a set-piece of their own as Edwin van der Sar was powerless to save Simao's excellent free-kick.

As fans started to get restless Ruud van Nistelrooy produced the goods in Europe yet again, poking home Rio Ferdinand's knock-down from a corner.

United will feel relived after what has been a hard week in the media and on the pitch.

Final Score: Manchester United 2 - 1 Benfica
Att: 66,112

Manchester United: E Van der Sar, P Bardsley, R Ferdinand, J O'Shea, K Richardson, D Fletcher, A Smith, P Scholes, C Ronaldo, R van Nistelrooy, R Giggs
Substitutes: T Howard, J Park, L Miller, G Pique, S Ebanks-Blake, G Rossi, L Martin

Benfica: J Moreira, M Nelson, A Luisao, S Ricardo Rocha, B Leo, G Beto, F Manuel, A Petit, S Simao, F Miccoli, M Nuno Gomes
Substitutes: J Quim, C Anderson, P Mantorras, D Geovanni, A Kariaka, M Dos Santos, P Joao Pereira

Refereed By: Lubos Michel